Spokane International Airport: A Traveler's Guide To Spokane, Wa

what airport is in spokane wa

Spokane International Airport is located at 9000 W Airport Dr Spokane, WA 99224. The airport covers 6,140 acres and operates two runways. Spokane International Airport processes over 3,000,000 passengers annually and is served by five major and five regional air carriers. The airport has recently undergone several enhancement projects, including the addition of retail space and expanded security checkpoints.

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Spokane International Airport's history

Spokane International Airport is one of the three airports in Spokane, Washington, the other two being Felts Field Airport and the Airport Business Park. Covering 6,140 acres, the airport operates two paved runways and processes over 3,000,000 passengers annually.

The airport was originally known as Geiger Field, which was built during World War II as a major training base for the Second Air Force. It was used as a group training airfield for B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment units, with aircraft supplied by Boeing near Seattle. Geiger Field also served as an aircraft maintenance and supply depot for the Air Technical Service Command. In 1943, General Hap Arnold established the first formal fire protection training course at the field. It continued to be used until 1945, when it was closed and transferred to Spokane County, which developed it into a commercial airport. During the Cold War, the airport hosted USAF Air Defense Command interceptor units for the air defence of Hanford Nuclear Reservation and Grand Coulee Dam.

In 1960, the airport received its present name when Air Canada started service to Calgary. The same year, the city requested the county to jointly run the airport to qualify for federal funding. A new terminal building, designed by architects Warren Heylman and William Trogdon, was opened in May 1965. The building had a futuristic design, featuring swooping concrete beams over the ticketing area and a giant rotunda to welcome planes.

Since then, Spokane International Airport has undergone numerous improvements and expansions, including the addition of parking garages, expanded concourses, a new control tower, and a rental car wing. In 2006, the Terminal, Rotunda, and Concourse C Enhancement Project (TRACE) was completed, adding retail space and expanding security checkpoints. The airport broke ground on Phase 1 of the Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) program in October 2022, which includes the expansion of Concourse C.

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Runway and taxiway expansions

The Spokane International Airport (GEG) is served by a number of airlines and offers direct flights to several major cities in the US. In recent years, the airport has seen significant growth in passenger traffic, and as a result, there have been proposals and plans for expansion to accommodate this increase and future demand. One of the key areas of development is the expansion of runways and taxiways to enhance capacity and improve efficiency.

The airport currently has two runways: Runway 8L/26R and Runway 3/21. The primary proposal is to extend the existing Runway 3/21 to the north, which will increase the runway's length by 1,000 feet. This extension will provide several benefits. Firstly, it will allow for a greater variety of aircraft to utilize the runway, including larger planes that require a longer takeoff and landing distance. This, in turn, will enable the airport to attract more airlines and offer a wider range of destinations, potentially including international flights. The extended runway will also improve safety margins for existing aircraft operations during challenging weather conditions or in the event of an emergency.

In addition to the runway extension, the expansion plan includes widening the taxiways to accommodate safer and more efficient aircraft movements on the ground. Broader taxiways will reduce potential delays by allowing multiple planes to transit simultaneously and providing more space for maneuvering. This enhancement will be particularly beneficial during peak hours when multiple flights are arriving and departing in quick succession. The expansion of the taxiway network will also involve the construction of new taxiways, providing more direct routes between the terminals and the runways, reducing taxi times and, consequently, fuel consumption and emissions.

These expansions of the runways and taxiways are vital not only for accommodating current and future passenger demand but also for enhancing the airport's capacity to handle cargo operations. Spokane International Airport serves as a vital cargo hub, and the proposed developments will ensure that the airport can efficiently manage the increasing demand for freight transport, which is expected to grow alongside passenger traffic.

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Concourse C's architecture

Spokane International Airport (IATA: GEG) is located in Spokane, Washington, and is the primary airport serving the Inland Northwest, which includes eastern Washington State, northern Idaho, and western Montana. The airport is a major hub, providing both passenger and cargo services to many major US cities.

Spokane International Airport has three main structures: Concourse A and B in the center, Concourse C to the southwest, and the Ground Transportation Center to the north. The three structures are connected, but Concourse C is not linked to Concourses A and B on the 'sterile side', meaning passengers must transit through the landside, non-sterile circulation.

Concourse C at Spokane International Airport serves domestic flights and is a hub for major airlines like Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and American Airlines. The concourse features a contemporary architectural style, incorporating metal cladding and large curtain window walls. The interior boasts a modular and exposed structural grid, creating a functional and visually appealing space. The concourse spans 80,000 square feet and opened in 2000 following a $20 million redevelopment project.

The Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) Program is Spokane International Airport's long-term vision to enhance and modernise its facilities to accommodate increasing passenger traffic growth. The Concourse C West Terminal Expansion Project is the first phase of the TREX Program, which aims to deliver a world-class travel experience. The expansion added three new gates, six new ticketing counters, and enhanced passenger amenities. The project also included the renovation of the Rotunda, adding retail space and expanding security checkpoints.

The airport has future plans to add new gates, centralised security, and expanded baggage claim areas to Concourse C, as well as a third runway, as part of the Master Plan and TREX Program. These improvements aim to accommodate more direct flights and increase the airport's capacity to over 6.2 million passengers by 2030.

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Airlines operating from the airport

Spokane International Airport (GEG) is served by five major and five regional air carriers. The airport covers 6,140 acres (2,480 ha) and operates two paved runways. The passenger terminal facility at Spokane International Airport has three main structures: Concourse A and B in the centre, Concourse C to the southwest, and the Ground Transportation Centre to the north.

Alaska Airlines and its subsidiary carrier Horizon Air are the primary occupants operating in and out of Concourse C. American Airlines also operates from Concourse C, with flights departing from the upper-level gates. Horizon operates from the lower-level gates.

Sun Country Airlines operates from Concourse A, and FedEx and United Parcel Service also have a presence at the airport.

Spokane International Airport offers flights to various destinations, including San Diego International Airport. The airport provides free Wi-Fi and has a variety of transportation options, including short-term and long-term parking.

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Airport contact information

Spokane, Washington, is served by Spokane International Airport, which is located at 9000 W Airport Dr, Spokane, WA 99224. The airport's code is GEG, which stands for Geiger Field, the previous name of the airport. Spokane International Airport covers 6,140 acres and has two paved runways. The airport is served by five major and five regional air carriers, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air. The airport's main terminal is open Monday through Friday from 3:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and on weekends from 3:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The airport has recently undergone several enhancement projects, including the Terminal, Rotunda, and Concourse C Enhancement Project (TRACE), which added retail space, expanded security checkpoints, and renovated the Rotunda. In 2010, 2,000 feet were added to Runway 3–21 to accommodate heavier aircraft during the summer months. The airport also has a new control tower, which is the tallest in the state.

Spokane International Airport has three main passenger terminal facilities: Concourse A and B in the center, Concourse C to the southwest, and the Ground Transportation Center to the north. Concourse C features a contemporary architectural style with metal cladding and large curtain window walls. In October 2022, the airport began Phase 1 of the Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) program, which includes further expansion of Concourse C.

For specific contact information, such as phone numbers or email addresses, I recommend checking the airport's website or performing an online search for "Spokane International Airport contact information." This should provide you with the most up-to-date and direct contact details for the airport's customer service or information desk.

Frequently asked questions

Spokane International Airport.

GEG.

Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, American Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.

9000 W Airport Dr Spokane, WA 99224.

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